A bail bond is a document that guarantees to the court that a person in jail who is charged with an offense, will, if released, appear for future court dates.

Bail Bonds are issued by licensed bail agents who specialize in bond underwriting and issuance. Bail agents act as the appointed representatives of a licensed surety company.

The bond process involves a contractual undertaking guaranteed by a bail agent and the individual posting bail. The bail agent guarantees to the court that the defendant will be in court each and every time the judge requires it. For this service, the defendant is charged a percentage of the bail amount.

Before being released, the defendant, relative or friend of the defendant typically contacts a bail agent to arrange for the posting of bail. Prior to the posting of a bail bond, the defendant or a co-signer must guarantee that they will pay the full amount of bail if the defendant does not appear in court. For this reason, bail bonds usually require some type of collateral that may include an automobile, real estate, stocks, jewelry, credit cards, cash or anything of value equal to the bond amount. Any collateral used will be returned after the defendant has appeared at all the required court dates and the court exonerates the bond.